Gov. Gregoire testifies on behalf of aerospace legislation

For Immediate Release: April 13, 2009

OLYMPIA � Gov. Chris Gregoire this morning testified before the state House Committee on Community and Economic Development and Trade, urging legislators to move forward with her proposed legislation to create a Washington Council on Aerospace.

�We spend a lot of time and energy working to recruit and retain companies in the state of Washington,� Gregoire said. �But now, we need to step up those efforts.�

Following the release of the Aerospace Industry Competitiveness study completed by Deloitte Consulting, Gregoire proposed HB 2308 to create the aerospace council. The council will bring together top officials from aerospace, labor, research universities and community colleges, legislators and cabinet members to achieve several goals.

The goals include making sure Washington�s excellent aerospace training programs at community colleges across Washington are informed by and benefit from aerospace technology research at the University of Washington and Washington State University, as well as coordinate research programs within the state�s higher education system. The council will also focus on creating a one-stop shop for retaining and recruiting aerospace companies, growing the industry to create 21st century jobs, and advising the governor and Legislature on policies that would benefit the industry.

�But maybe the Council�s most important goal,� Gregoire said, �Is to create a structure to foster real-time communication between all the key groups � business, labor, education, research, the aerospace industry as a whole, and working families who depend on this vital sector to thrive.�

The state�s Department of Community, Trade and Economic Development Director Rogers Weed, Executive Director of the Puget Sound Regional Council Bob Drewel, International Association of Machinists District 751 Political Director Larry Brown, and Chair of the Board of the Greater Seattle Chamber of Commerce Tayloe Washburn also testified on behalf of the legislation.

�This legislation will help us stay ahead of the curve as we compete with other states, as well as other nations,� Gregoire said. �The competition is tough. We�re seeing the fierce fight with another nation over a new refueling tanker, and some states are showing every sign that they are willing to spend whatever money it takes to attract aerospace. Washington still has the edge on aerospace. We need to make sure that edge stays razor sharp.�

Gregoire added that aerospace is the state�s most dominant industry, accounting for tens of thousands of jobs across the state, and hundreds of millions of dollars in revenue.

�This legislation is about making sure we provide a level of service the aerospace industry needs to continue to thrive in Washington. We have to make sure our state keeps and grows this industry, and the jobs it brings to Washington families,� Gregoire said.